Publication: Malaria and the pregnant traveller
Issued Date
2004-08-01
Resource Type
ISSN
14778939
Other identifier(s)
2-s2.0-4544222132
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Mahidol University
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease. Vol.2, No.3-4 (2004), 127-142
Suggested Citation
R. McGready, E. A. Ashley, F. Nosten Malaria and the pregnant traveller. Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease. Vol.2, No.3-4 (2004), 127-142. doi:10.1016/j.tmaid.2004.03.008 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/21594
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Title
Malaria and the pregnant traveller
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Abstract
Malaria in pregnancy contributes to significant maternal and foetal mortality and morbidity in women in the tropics. Adverse effects for non-immune travellers are potentially devastating for mother and foetus. Women travellers should always be strongly advised against visiting malarious areas if they are pregnant or intend to get pregnant. Chemoprophylactic and treatment options for pregnant women (or those planning to conceive) are extremely limited and lag behind what can currently be offered to non-pregnant travellers. This is because of spread of multi-resistant strains of P. falciparum. Personal protection from malaria vectors remains essential. Mosquito-net and skin repellents (DEET (20%)) are effective. Diagnosis of malaria in travellers is difficult and is more likely to be missed in pregnant travellers due to lower parasitaemia. Pregnant women can succumb rapidly to severe malaria. Should the returned traveller survive an episode of malaria in pregnancy and go on to deliver, the adverse effects on the infant are potentially irreversible. These risks need to be clearly communicated. © 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.